In a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Hermosa Beach City Council passed an emergency ordinance regulating off-road E-bikes, which have exploded in popularity in recent years.
South Bay residents have recently voiced concern over unruly teenagers riding recklessly on city streets, typically in large groups along the Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach strands near the piers.
The emergency ordinance adds “operational regulations” that carry fines. Those under 18 must wear helmets, and all passengers must have their own seats. Fines can range from $500 to $1000.
In addition, the ordinance also regulates the rental of E-bikes within city limits.
“Mostly what I see is [them] going at breakneck speeds and traveling in big bands,” a Hermosa Beach resident named Greg told KTLA. “It’s almost like there’s that little kid energy where they don’t necessarily follow the rules.”
“I wish they would actually stop at stop signs,” he added. “I’m always afraid I’m going to clip some 12-year-old.”
The Hermosa Beach Police Department has released several photos of seized E-bikes, some of which closely resemble real motorcycles. Over a dozen of them have been impounded in the past month, with four more seized on Tuesday at Pier Plaza, authorities said.
In one incident on May 22, juveniles damaged a mural and other areas throughout Hermosa Beach; three days later, officers served the juvenile and their guardian a citation before impounding the E-bike.
“Home, school, the park, the strand or the beach…we can locate you and serve you a citation for court,” police said.
Despite multiple informational posts, the department says that some riders still did not take their warnings seriously. Officials offered this advice to parents and guardians:
“Any parent who is considering purchasing a $5,000 vehicle like one of these for your child, we encourage you to stop by our station and speak with one of our traffic officers about where they can be used,” HBPD said on Instagram. “[Officers] will continue to impound these types of off-road electric motorcycles…it’s a costly error to ride them on the roads of Hermosa.”
The new ordinance went into effect immediately after it was passed, city officials said.